Chapter Four: At The Crossroads,
Thanatos hated to have to open portals, even less ones that travel to the human world. For obvious reasons, like how much harder it was for an immoral being to adapt to the limitations it presented and not to mention it reminded him of the job he had to do for all eternity. But such was the lot of his existence. The undying realm was just easier, a vacation if you will.
As the strong current of electric pulses came forth from the vortex around him he was sure his black cloak stuck to him from the massive static charge. Squinting his eyes in annoyance, he waited for his entourage to assemble behind him. After Thanatos whispered a short incantation as he placed his skeletal hand before him, the door appeared out of nowhere; it now stood nestled between two large pillars of Greek and Roman design. An immortal can inwardly sense any existing vortex. He then gave them a wave to proceed, he and his fellow reapers passed through the dimension door depicted with glorious symbols of ancient origin of the gods.
As they passed into the human world, Thanatos assumed it would cause some discomfort at best. He always hated that part, but soon discovered and to his surprise not so much as a slight pesky disorientation disturbed his mind. He always remembered it was more unpleasant in the past. He shrugged it off as he thought perhaps he was becoming numb to its effects.
He stood blinking away the sensation, and as the mind cleared, so did his mission emerge to the forefront of his thoughts. Waiting patiently for a moment as his reapers joined his side. The dimension door's rushing winds billowed behind him catching his cloak in its wake. As he stepped forward his entourage of reapers stepped in unison with their leader just falling a few paces behind, loyal and fierce as any minion of Pluto may be.
The wilderness suddenly silenced upon their ominous approach. Creatures were heard scattering in fear and panic in the far distance, fleeing on sheer instinct from the path of the emerging death soldiers. The trees whispered their warning to those far off as the wind carried it on the breeze. Thanatos chuckled at the reaction. He always delighted in the outcry of the natural world as it cringed in his presence. In that moment by his side, Ashland, his right hand reaper asked him in understandable disdain. "Must we tarry here, my lord? The realm they live in is so disagreeable, it's so unnatural really. I want to go home."
A growl of impatience came forth from his belly to his throat, finally seeping in a low ominous rumble through the teeth. "Our orders are to retrieve Maximus and those responsible for breaking the natural law and order of things." He shot up a lone bony finger. " Silence, our purpose here is to enforce the will of Pluto." He brushed off the hand of his female reaper and faced her directly, eyes igniting in furious emotion. "Now, come no more complaints, let us do our duty, no matter the cost!"
In a wave of unified motion, every reaper placed a hand over its heart and nodded. Thanatos spun on his heel, cloak whipping around in a woosh. The band of death passed on stealthily through the forest without care or fear. Once healthy and vibrant vegetation shriveled up and died as the life force was forcibly drained in the wake of death's passing. A small breeze scattered the dried up brown debris away on its current going upward. With a growing gloom darkening all of the light of the full moon, waning all hope, it went forth from the reapers like a black mist snaking its way forward from its source as they searched relentlessly ahead.
Meanwhile, in the clearing deep in the forest at the camp, Maximus finished up feverishly devouring his meal that the goddess Diana was so good to have cooked up for him. At that time Asclepius and Diana were engrossed in whispers and secrecy that did not go unnoticed by Maximus and Selene as she sat watchful and patient by his side. The fire was now dying low and the hour was late. The sound of wings flapping in the air followed by a landing from above in the nearest tree disturbed the peaceful scene. Debris of bark rained down in pieces from the massive grip of the night bird owl's talons. Maximus looked up shapely in alarm. The brown and white speckled bird blinked down at the couple sitting by the fire on the log curiously. It soon hooted as if in greeting somehow. Selene gave a slight smile to him then turned her attention back to Maximus.
"Is the food to your liking, Diana is well skilled in these human tasks."
Maximus nodded his approval. "Yes, it was all well done. I appreciate it very much. I feel much better, stronger too."
"I'm glad for you." A sudden intake of breath was heard from behind them causing Selene to turn around to see what was the matter. Asclepius looked grave and white like he was frightened and this frightened Selene because if her brother was scared it was really bad.
Asclepius looked around at Selene, swallowed down thickly and approached the pair in a hurry. Worry etched in his countenance. "I had just learned that we most likely are in some sort of grave peril."
Maximus froze from taking his last bite, as he took in the weight of the god's words. A chill ran through him as the very thought that Asclepius could feel such consternation. "I don't understand, what is happening?" Maximus said, rising to his feet almost tipping over his bowl made from rock.
Selene came to Maximus's aid and caught it just in time.
"You mean to tell me after all this trouble it was to raise me from the fields of elysium somehow we are not safe." Maximus said, trembling with emotion unchecked.
"I am afraid so. I have been just informed by Diana that there has been a rumor of upset in the realm of the underworld." Asclepius began nervously. But Selene interrupted, cutting him off angrily.
"You said that it was alright, that Jupiter ordered this!"
"Be calm sister, you must believe me that this is true. However, I know it must be my actions that caused this upset. Also understand this, Pluto is Jupiter's brother and equal in power and authority. Not to mention even more feared. I know that my interference had not been taken too kindly in the past with him, but I never thought he would pursue an act of vengeance."
Maximus came forward and stood in front of Asclepius shaking his head slowly. "Now what? You know, it figures with my luck, great, just great!" Maximus's hand went swiftly across his chest.
"It is a setback to our plans, but please Maximus, we must not give in to terror. We will think of an alternate path to help you now, but first we must not be discovered and we need the luxury of more time to figure all this out; however I believe we should pack up and not delay our journey."
Her heart now aching for Maximus's sake, Selene put a gentle hand on his shoulder for comfort and sympathy. He noticeably leaned into it a fraction. The very thought of harm coming to her charge was unacceptable. He was innocent of the god's decisions. Too long had humans been a pawn in the war between the god's. They were not toys to be played with or manipulated for their pleasure on a whim. She will not allow it, not while on her watch, never again. Even if they threaten her very eternal existence. She shuttered suddenly as she recalled how offenders were dealt with in the past. How she had been horror-struck and remembered the screams of the terror coming from her throat as it echoed within the walls of the Olympian temple in the undying realms. The guilty immortals were swiftly executed for crimes against the gods. She will never forget the fate of so many unwitted victims, such was her beloved human lover Endymion. Judged and in vengeance and jealousy of Jupiter condemned him to eternal life and in sleep. Never to be woken again, the curse was unbreakable. Yet others had been lucky in their fate, sent to the forgotten realms of infinite oblivion, never to return. She shuddered at the thought of her possible fate to share in that kind of endless nothingness of existence. Tumbling forever with no purpose, no end to a torment so maddening that you lose all your sense of self. But her resolve strengthened at just one look into Maximus's eyes. She will never give in and beg for her life. He was innocent and now determined in her mind, so was she.
"Come what may, I will stand with you. Even unto my death."
Selene swore her oath with such unbridled disregard for herself that Maximus was taken aback in shock. A god or goddess sacrificing itself for a mortal? It was unheard of. "You would do that for me, a lowly human?"
Selene bowed her head in solemn reverence that seemed to Maximus almost embarrassing. He had misjudged her, and maybe all of them. How can they be so, well, human? He turned to Ascelpius and took a deep steady breath as he faced him. "So, what do we do?"
"We must evade capture at any cost. Diana explained she will help us get safely back to the chariot. There we must get to the temple Jupiter located in Baalbek district in Rome. There we must petition for aid, perhaps his Highness will come to help us himself." Asclepius says to the group urgently. He glanced over at Diana as she moved forward at the mention of her name, coming from the shadows just observing them in the company of her great white and black wolves.
"Yes, I will help you, to a point only, from there regrettably I cannot follow. As much as I'd like to, I cannot stand in the way of Pluto. He is after all my King, you all know this."
Asclepius nodded and took her hand. He bent lovingly over her open palm and softly kissed it then placed her hand on his face. ""I know of the loyalties you have, and I also know of your heart. I do lie there likewise. I have been a fool in my very soul to just now notice this, I should have known. Forgive me dear Diana, for being so blind? And thank you for all you have done. It must not have been an easy choice to oppose Pluto, you are his subject and an agent of the underworld after all."
"It is for you dear one that I love and do this for." She cleared her throat suddenly becoming awkward as she was being stared at by all around. "I wish you all well and hope for your success most speedily in all your endeavors, now come let us make haste and pack up. For there is little time to waste, I fear."
As if on cue, as the last word fell from Diana's lips, a stag emerged into the clearing, trotting to her side. It faced her then bowed its head in reverence to the great huntress. At that moment Diana placed a hand on its forehead and closed her eyes for concentration. Then suddenly after seconds her eyes flew open in alarm, going wide in fear. "Come, there is no time to lose, Thanatos is hot on our trail! Let's go now!"
In the fury of the moment as they rushed away, the owl almost forgotten in the tree, took flight in the wake of a harsh screech. The hasty departure sent displaced leaves fluttering to the forest below. Maximus allowed himself to be guided by Selene as she led the way just steps behind her brother and Diana brought up the rear with her bow in hand and arrow at the ready.
In the distance, they could see animals racing ahead, birds taking to the safety of the sky above. They knew too that Thanatos was close behind. Cries of the creatures around them sent a fury of energy and foreboding warning to others ahead telling them to rush to a safe haven away from its destruction. Asclepius looked back over his shoulder to see if he could glimpse Thanatos's approach. In the wake of panic creatures behind them only yards away he could see Thanatos making a b-line in their direction. Seeing Asclepius' reaction as he moved to speed toward the chariot now coming into view, Thanatos headed off the fleeing group, now blocking the way to the chariot.
Coming to a sudden halt, Asclepius heard Thanatos's laughter of arrogance. It was true he had the upper hand. "Give up the mortal and surrender at once, by order of Pluto!"
"Never, Thanatos! Jupiter's will has the authority here. Now leave this realm, while you can." Ascelpius warned, standing strongly on the hope that he was in the right in this case.
More laughter ensued. "My master will not stand for this outrage, Asclepius and you will submit yourselves to him now, or suffer needlessly." He smiled looking over at Maximus. "Think of the mortal."
"We will never abandon our mission!" Selene rushed forward abruptly. Asclepius held out a hand and held her back.
His only answer was the most sinister laughter yet that shook Selene to the core as it came from the depth of the dark hood of the grand reaper. Thanatos moved slowly now, coming forward in slow motion. Tall, strong and terrifying. The darkness seemed to come suddenly out of nowhere and permeated all around the scene. Slowly crawling over them all in deathly silence. A shadow pervaded like a bottomless pit of despair from the group of reapers, rows of eyes blazing within their hoods.
Ascepius stood firm. "Reaper, we will not submit!" He saw the agent of death that he knew as Ashland stepped forward in front of her master with a torch in hand held high, smiling at them in turn sinisterly.
Selene shivered. In the illumination of the flame, Thanatos's expression was calm as a sea before the storm. A storm promised perched on the horizon like the death bird vulture, as the evidence was clear in his eyes.
"I will not go down without a fight, no matter what. Jupiter will never forgive our failure. We have come so far." Selene said, with conviction.
Laughter waft in the space between the two groups. "Well, well, Selene of the moon, I would not have expected your involvement in this. Not after your dealings with Jupiter all those years ago."
Selene's eyes widened at his insolence. "Yet here I stand, Thanatos."
"Yes, so it may seem. In a situation where you defy the natural order." His bony finger raises as it wiggles back and forth. "Tisk, tisk. Pluto will not be pleased. But now you all have chosen your path isn't that so? So it appears to me which side you stand."
"It is as you said, Death. I understand the consequences."
More laughter rang out to meet them. Maximus looked at Selene. She stood brave and strong in the face of so much fear. It put a remembrance into his heart about what he had once said. I knew a man once who said, "Death smiles at us all, all a man can do is smile back." Or a woman, no, a goddess in this case. He turned his attention back to the reaper.
"Be careful Goddess Selene. Don't be so sure you know it all."
Selene remained calm and crossed her arms, "What do you mean by that? You should know Jupiter's will is final."
Disturbing was the sight of the reaper's teeth, glistening in the fire light. Its smile grew more and more maniacal by the minute. " Your lack of understanding astounds me. Shall I elaborate further?" When he finished speaking, the fire torch crackled and sparked upward into the night sky. "Ashland."
They all watched as the minor reaper lowered the torch as it soon flickered out. Darkness engulfed them all. They saw in horror as the female human-like reaper's, eyes glowed bright red and then turned black. The gloom spilling into the whites of her eyes until it was completely consumed. A powerful gust whipped from behind the reapers sending forest debris into the air. Descending now an all-consuming looming dread.
Selene's gut twisted in fear and nerves as she held on securely to Maximus's hand. She looked at him then nodded her assurance to him as she observed his eyes desperately searching her own. She squeezed his hand to tell him with no words needed that she had no intention of giving into her fears. With her mouth set in a straight line, she turned her attention back to the reaper Thanatos.
"Make a move to harm and we will exact upon you all most violently, do not underestimate us, Thanatos!" Selene said in warning.
A moment passed in silence of the words just spoken as the two groups stared each other down. You could not hear a single breath or stirring of any kind. Just as Thanatos moved to give his signal to attack by the raising of one hand, a rush of clatter came behind the clearing's edge. Turning all eyes toward the disturbance, hundreds of animals came forth from out of the shadows of the forest in waves passing Selene's group heading to attack Thanatos and his reapers. In the chaos that ensued, another figure appeared and hurried to Selene. He was half human and half beast in appearance with legs of a goat and body of a man. He took Selene by the hand.
"Come, hurry. My creatures only will give us mere moments!"
"Pan!" Selene breathed.
"Yes it is I. Now hurry, follow me!"
Without waiting another second, they all rushed after Pan into the safety of the forest. In the far distance behind were the reminisce of battle sounds between beast and reapers. But soon it did not last long, with the last crash and yip of pain from the fallen animals, Selene heard the swift pursuit of the reapers not too far behind them.
Winds picked up and darkness followed as they ran for their lives. Selene almost lost hope and slowed a little but one look into the innocent face of Maximus changed her resolve. She watched the determination in his face, eyes swimming in emotion and fierce courage. She felt him grip her hand tighter as she locked eyes with him. He set his mouth in a thin line and raced alongside her keeping up well. His strength is now at its peak, just as she'd hoped it would be. He was determined to survive and he called to her.
"Come on Selene, we can make it!"
Selene nodded as their breath pumped visibly into the air because of the night time chill. Soon, not too far into the forest was another clearing. Pan abruptly halted before a wall of ivy that had overgrown it in their path. Coming to Pan's side, Selene tapped his shoulder. "What are you doing, Pan?"
Within moments Selene had her answer. As Pan pulled the vines away, a door of solid oak with Roman ancient engravings were revealed. Selene's heart suddenly leap within her heaving breast.
With a few words of whispered incantation from Pan, the door cracked open. Suddenly displaced air burst forth around them, blowing about garments and hair. Pan looked at each in turn. His brown skin and curly hair glowing like bronze in the sunlight coming from the opened door. The gentle breeze coming from the perfect day within the new world within the door was welcoming and peaceful as it blew his cloak to the side. He extended his hairy muscular arm toward the opened door.
"Go now, hurry."
Selene's shocked expression wore off as Pan pushed her forward. The group followed suit thereafter with no hesitation.
Smiling in self-satisfaction Pan leaned against the door as Thanatos entered the clearing. Thanatos came to a stop with his reapers as he saw Pan. The two beams of scarlet eyes of Thanatos flared in sudden recognition.
"Pan, your interference will not stand!"
Pan waved his cheeky farewell with a grin. "You have no power here, now be gone, death!"
"How dare you,Pan!" Thanatos hissed.
Pan only chuckled in response. "I do as I please, this is MY realm."
With that, Pan turned, entered and shut the door in the angry face of Thanatos.
Ashland stepped slowly to the side of the grand reaper timidly. Aware of Death's glowing eyes of hate burning hot like coal. She looked at the place the door suddenly disappeared a moment before, and heard Thanatos bellow.
"He will suffer for this!"